Uniform-flow scale



Patented Nov. 30, 1926.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM A. KEUNE, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

UNIFORM-FLOW SCALE.

Application filed August 10, 1925. Serial No. 49,495.

My invention relates to improvements in uniform flow scale, and it consist-s in the combinations, constructions, and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provlde a uniform flow scale of the character described, the purpose of which is to w'e1gh materials when the materials are flowing or in motion, as the flow of grain, coal, or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a uniform flow scale, in which the relative rate of flow is indicated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a uniform flow scale of the character described, which is capable of adjustment for materials of various weights.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device which is simple in construction, accurate in operation, and thoroughly practical commercially.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of an embodiment of my invention, the electrical circuit therefor being shown diagrammatically.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device illustrated in Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a modified form of a part of the device.

In carrying out my invention, I make use of a disk 1 of insulating material, preferably fiber. This disk is secured to a rearwardly extending hub member 2, which hub member is rotatably mounted upon a shaft 3. The shaft 3 is fixed at 4 to the upper end of a bracket 5, so that its axis lies in a horizontal plane.

The bracket 5 is secured at its lowermost end at 6 to a supporting surface 7. A substantially vertical. tubular member 8 is provided, and has a plurality of inclined slides or slideways 9 in staggered relation with respect to one another, secured to the inner side walls of the member 8. These slide ways are so arranged as to permit grain 11 or other materials, when poured into the top of the tubular member 8, as from a hopper 10, to flow over the upper surfaces of the slideways 9, or from one slideway to the other, and then through the lowermost end 12 of the tube.

The tubular member 8 is secured by means of a bale 13 to the lowermost end of the flexible metal strap 14. The upper end of the strap 14 is secured to the peripheral wall of the hub 2.

A rod 15 is secured at its innermost end. to the disk 1 at the center thereof, and extends radially therefrom to a point beyond the peripheral edge 16 of the disk. The weight 17 is slidably mounted upon the rod 17, and is provided with a set screw 18 for securing the weight against movement with respect to the rod at will.

When the device is not in operation, the weight 17 will maintain the disk 1 in a position with the weight directly beneath the axis of the disk. The strap 14 is partially wound upon the hub 2.

When weight is brought to bear upon the tubular member 8, as by movement of the grain 11 over the slideways 9, the strap 14 will be drawn downwardly by virtue of such weight, so as to cause the hub 2 to rotate against the force of the weight 17.

The degree of rotation of the disk 1 with its hub 2 is proportioned to increase or decrease the weight or quantity of the grain 11 or other materials placed upon the slideways 9.

Means for accurately registering the force exerted upon the tubular member 8 is provided in a plurality of radially extending contact members 19. In the present form of the invention, I have shown it thus, so that calibration may be brought about in ounce equivalents. The contact members 19 are all connected in series through resistances 20, one end 21 of the resistances, i. e., that end associated with the uppermost end of the contact members 19, when the device is in such position as shown in Figure 1, is connected with a conductor 22 having its opposite end connected to a resistance23. The opposite terminal of the resistance 23 is connected to an ammeter 24, and the oppo site terminal of the ammeter is connected by means of the conductor 25 to a watthour meter. The source of constant electromotive force is shown at 27 in the form of a generator which is connected to the opposite terminal of the watt-hour meter 26, and has its remaining terminal connected to a conductor 28, which conductor is connected 

